The exact anniversary was at the end of September. We are very aware of the part we play in the community in Warrenpoint and we are pleased that we attracted great support for this venture from former members and those who have supported the Band over the years. We have a good learners' class of young players and the present members are keen to keep the Band going.
To anyone who supported us in any way it was very much appreciated by all the Band members.

Celebration Concert
PRESS REPORT Warrenpoint Silver's Celebration Concert

On Saturday evening last Warrenpoint Silver Band played host to "one of the best concerts held in Warrenpoint in years" according to one patron. Over eighty musicians played to an appreciative audience. The occasion celebrated the new millennium and the band's fiftieth anniversary all under the umbrella of BBC Music Live.
Principal guests were Comber Silver Band with conductor Ewan Easton. They joined with their hosts earlier in the afternoon to play a free one hour concert in Warrenpoint Park giving a taste of what was to come later in the evening.
The evening concert opened with the audience being introduced to the conductor for the evening Ewan Easton. He kept the evening flowing as he changed hats frequently from conductor to virtuoso soloist to compere. Warrenpoint began the programme and their performance was a fitting tribute to the work of their conductor Maurice McCabe and a reflection of the intensive workshops they enjoyed with Ewan Easton. He had the band well under control, solo cornet Rodney McCabe excelling in the Shepherd's Song. Ewan left the baton down on several occasions to thrill the appreciative audience with his tuba playing. As Tuba Tapestry, accompanied by Steve Barnett also from the Ulster Orchestra, he played works by Puccini, Cappuzzi, Arban, and Montii. The Carnival of Venice particularly impressed the brass players present.
An important part of the evening was the contributions of the Warrenpoint Junior Band. The importance of encouraging young players is not lost on either bands and two young Comber players joined the local ensemble for two well performed pieces.

An important part of the evening was the contributions of the Warrenpoint Junior Band. The importance of encouraging young players is not lost on either bands and two young Comber players joined the local ensemble for two well performed pieces. Young musicians also featured as Drums Together made their concert debut. Formed for the occasion by the young players of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eirrean and Warrenpoint Silver young drummers they performed the Millennium Theme. They were led by Dolores O'Hare on stage with the uillean pipes and Maurice McCabe who gave a "restrained" performance on the Lambeg Drum. The first half of the concert drew to a close with the two bands joining to perform The Young Amadeus.
The Comber band gave a polished performance throughout producing a warm sound for their six pieces. A wonderful cornet solo Herje Kati arranged and played by Michael Alcorn was one of the highlights of the second half. The Comber Band also played a Gershwin piece arranged by Steve Barnett who guested with both bands on the evening. Warrenpoint Silver completed their contribution to the concert with "Tomorrow" and A Swinging Safari" drawing warm applause from an appreciative audience. The Warrenpoint Band included am eleven year old as well as two players who featured as young players in the early years of the band, namely George Goucher and Sammy Hodge. Both players play to a high standard and retain their interest and enthusiasm. It was good to see former members of the band present and current members could be seen twisting a few arms!
Alynn Thomas, chairman, whose wife and sons are members of the band, gave a comprehensive "thank you" to all concerned. He especially thanked Ewan Easton for his mammoth input to the evening and Warrenpoint Conductor Maurice McCabe for the motivation for the event.
In an impromptu speech local councillor Hugh Carr expressed the good wishes of the Warrenpoint community congratulating the band on their fiftieth anniversary. In a reference to Ewan he said the concert had "a touch of the master's hand" For the Finale the two bands played the Final Countdown and the Tuba soloist still found the energy to play Rimsky Korsakov's The Flight of the Bumble Bee, ably assisted by his accompanist.
It truly was a wonderful Celebration Concert.


Click here to see the Warrenpoint Junior Band complete with Comber members, Ewan  and Maurice